Coverage of the Act
- Covers examination, registration, and licensure of environmental planners.
- Regulates the supervision and practice of environmental planning.
- Oversees development and updating of environmental planning curriculum.
- Promotes continuing professional education and competence improvement.
Definitions
- Environmental Planning: Multidisciplinary analysis and regulation of land and water resources for sustainable communities.
- Environmental Planner: Registered and licensed professional with valid certification and identification.
- Accredited Professional Organization (APO): Single integrated professional organization for environmental planners.
Scope of Practice
- Professional services including consultation, advice, plan preparation, capacity building, and evaluation.
- Planning for national to local development, zoning, preservation, tourism, economic zones, and infrastructure.
- Preparation of feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and institutional/legal analyses.
- Curriculum development and teaching roles in environmental planning.
- Acting as expert witnesses, lecturers, and in public forums.
- Ensuring compliance with environmental laws and acquiring permits.
- Board authorized to modify scope as needed.
Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning
- Composed of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the President.
- Serves under supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
- Term of office: three years, renewable once; staggered initial terms.
- Members must be Filipino citizens, of good character, master's degree holders in environmental planning, registered and licensed with seven years of experience, not affiliated with teaching or review institutions, and members in good standing of the APO.
Powers and Duties of the Board
- Prescribe rules and regulations under the Act.
- Supervise registration, licensure, and practice.
- Administer licensure exams and evaluate applicants.
- Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate certificates.
- Adopt official seal, Code of Ethics, and technical standards.
- Collaborate with CHED for curriculum compliance.
- Investigate violations and conduct hearings.
- Promulgate decisions on administrative cases.
- Perform other regulatory functions per PRC law.
Compensation, Administration, and Discipline
- Board members receive compensation comparable to other PRC boards.
- Board records and secretarial support provided by Commission.
- Grounds for suspension or removal include negligence, dishonesty, graft, exam tampering, and unlawful disclosure.
Examination and Registration Requirements
- Mandatory registration and licensure for practice.
- Annual licensure examinations administered by the Board.
- Passing grade: 70% weighted average and minimum 50% in subjects.
- Examination subjects: history, concepts, methods, implementation, legal aspects.
- Qualifications include Filipino citizenship or reciprocity, relevant academic degrees, good moral character, and no conviction for moral turpitude.
- On-the-job training under supervision required depending on degree.
Issuance and Refusal of Certificates
- Certificates bear signatures and official seals.
- Certificate and Professional ID Card must be renewed every three years with proof of continuing education.
- Refusal grounds: conviction, immoral conduct, violation of exam rules, unsound mind.
Revocation, Suspension and Reissuance
- Grounds for disciplinary action include violation of law, fraud, incompetence, failure to pay fees, aiding illegal practice.
- Procedures for filing charges and conducting investigations described.
- Reissuance possible after two years upon petition without requiring re-examination.
Practice and Corporate Participation
- Environmental planners registered under previous laws deemed registered under the new Act.
- Firms, partnerships, and corporations may practice if majority of partners or directors are licensed planners.
- Use of official seals on plans required, unlawful to use after suspension or expiry.
Continuing Professional Education
- Board prescribes guidelines for ongoing professional education with academic and APO consultation.
Foreign Practitioners and Reciprocity
- Foreign nationals admitted under reciprocity policy.
- Special/Temporary permits granted for foreign professionals under conditions including cooperation with Filipino counterparts and employment permits from DOLE.
Legal Requirements on Plans and Unlawful Acts
- Environmental planners must indicate registration and membership details on plans.
- Unlawful acts include unauthorized practice, unauthorized plan preparation or signing, and falsification.
Accredited Professional Organization
- Single national APO required, registered with SEC.
- All licensed planners automatically members upon registration and payment of dues.
Enforcement and Government Positions
- Government officials required to assist enforcement.
- CSC to create positions for environmental planners; only licensed planners may hold certain government planning positions after five years.
Civil Liability and Penal Provisions
- Environmental planners held civilly liable for grossly negligent planning causing large-scale damage within ten years of plan implementation.
- Criminal penalties include imprisonment and fines for unlawful practice, falsification, impersonation, illegal use of certificates, and other violations.
- Employers hiring foreign practitioners without permits also liable.
Transitory Provisions
- Temporary appointments for unlicensed planners in LGUs allowed for three years after effectivity.
- Interim Board members to continue functions until new Board constituted.
Final Provisions
- Appropriations for implementation included in General Appropriations Act.
- Act does not affect practice of other professions.
- Board to issue implementing rules within 120 days of constitution.
- Separability clause ensures continuation if parts declared unconstitutional.
- Repeals Presidential Decree No. 1308 and inconsistent laws.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in official gazette or newspapers.